Dispatches from FI India

Taking stock of the latest trends in India

By Caroline Scott-Thomas and Ankush Chibber, 06-Oct-2011

Innovative new products, a strong focus on health and wellness, and regional dairy tastes were all on the agenda at FI India in Mumbai this week - and FoodNavigator-Asia's journalists were there, taking stock of what the latest trends mean for the food industry in India.

A growing middle class is the driving force behind a number of new Indian trends, including increasing awareness of health and wellness issues. Industry is responding with functional ingredients for foods and dietary supplements - while the sweeteners industry is seeking to gain the attention of the country's growing diabetic population.

Several challenges remain, however. Pricing is a particular concern in a market that tends to be sensitive to cost, and regional tastes vary from region to region. Many companies and analysts have their eye on the packaged dairy sector, but with homemade dahi and other yoghurt products currently dominating, manufacturers may need to be creative in their marketing strategies.

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Innovative new products, a strong focus on health and wellness, and regional dairy tastes were all on the agenda at FI India in Mumbai this week - and FoodNavigator-Asia's journalists were there, taking stock of what the latest trends mean for the food industry in India.